Generating authentication challenges based on social network activity information

ABSTRACT

A system and method for generating user authentication challenges based at least in part on an account owner&#39;s social network activity information. A login request including an account owner&#39;s correct username and password as well as additional login information is received from a user. The login attempt is detected as a potentially fraudulent based on the additional login information from the user. The account owner&#39;s social network activity information is analyzed. An authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner&#39;s social network activity information is generated and sent for display. The login request is allowed or denied based on the completion on the authentication challenge.

The specification relates to online user authentication. In particular, the specification relates to generating user authentication challenges, specifically, generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on an account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt.

BACKGROUND

Many websites provide the capability for users to login to view their personal information, or other information that the user wants to keep private, or even access the functionality provided by the website. Oftentimes, an added level of security is established by generating a challenge to a user attempting to login. Most commonly the challenge is the generation of a secret question or the generation of a Completely Automated Public Turing test to tell Computer and Humans Apart (CAPTCHA) to guard against possible fraudulent login attempts, and login by bots and other automated devices. Additional techniques exist to challenge the user, including those based other account-related information previously provided by the user.

These additional techniques designed to challenge a potentially fraudulent user leverage information that the account owner has identified and defined as account authentication information. For example, such information may be a favorite restaurant or the name of the first pet of the account owner. Therefore, a fraudulent user with the account owner's information, including this information identified as authentication information, can easily successfully overcome the authentication challenge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The deficiencies and limitations of the prior art are overcome at least in part by providing a system and method for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on an account owner's social network activity information and social network activity patterns in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt. A system for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt, the system comprising: a login receiver for receiving a login request, wherein the login request includes an account owner's correct username and password and additional login information from a user; a fraudulent login detection engine for detecting a potentially fraudulent login based on the additional login information from the user; a social network activity information analysis engine for analyzing the account owner's social network activity information to determine social network activity patterns; and a challenge generation engine for generating an authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information and sending the authentication challenge for display.

A method for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on an account owner's social network activity information and social network activity patterns in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt is also provided. A login request including an account owner's correct username and password and additional login information is received from a user. The login request is identified as a potential fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information from the user. The account owner's social network activity information is analyzed to determine social network activity patterns. An authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information and patterns is generated and sent for display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a user login server in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an authentication module according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for generating user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a storage device storing sets of data and information associated with users in the system, including the account owners' social network activity information according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of an example of a user interface displaying an authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A system and method for generating user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments disclosed can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. For example, one embodiment is described below with reference to user interfaces and particular hardware. However, the present embodiments apply to any type of computing device that can receive data and commands, and any peripheral devices providing services.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow are presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm is here, and generally, conceived to be a self consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers or the like.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or “calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices.

The embodiments also relate to an apparatus for performing the operations herein. This apparatus may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, such as, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magnetic disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flash memories including USB keys with non-volatile memory or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus.

The embodiments can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containing both hardware and software elements. A preferred embodiment is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, one embodiment can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer readable medium can be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data processing system to become coupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of the currently available types of network adapters.

Finally, the algorithms and displays presented herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems appears from the description below. In addition, the present embodiments are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the teachings as described herein.

System Overview

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100 for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt according to one embodiment.

The illustrated embodiment of the system 100 for generating a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt includes user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n that are accessed by users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n a user login server 101 and a third party server 107. The system 100 also includes user application servers 130 a, 130 b, and 130 n. In the illustrated embodiment, these entities are communicatively coupled via a network 105. Although only three devices are illustrated, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any number of user devices 115 n are available to any number of users 125 n. Furthermore, although only three user application servers 130 a, 130 b, and 130 n are illustrated, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that any number of user application servers 130 n may be included.

The user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n in FIG. 1 are used by way of example. While FIG. 1 illustrates three devices, the present embodiment applies to any system architecture having one or more user devices and one or more user application servers. Furthermore, while only one network 105 is coupled to the user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n the user login server 101 and the third party server 107, in practice any number of networks 105 can be connected to the entities. Furthermore, while only one third party application server 107 is shown, the system 100 could include one or more third party application servers 107.

The network 105 enables communications between user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n, the user login server 101, the third party application server 107, and user application servers 130 a, 130 b, and 130 n. Thus, the network 105 can include links using technologies such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, 2G, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3G, Ethernet, 802.11, integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), InfiniBand, PCI Express Advanced Switching, etc. Similarly, the networking protocols used on the network 105 can include the transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), the simple mail transfer protocol (SMTP), the file transfer protocol (FTP), lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), etc. The data exchanged over the network 105 can be represented using technologies and/or formats including the hypertext markup language (HTML), the extensible markup language (XML), etc. In addition, all or some of links can be encrypted using conventional encryption technologies such as the secure sockets layer (SSL), Secure HTTP and/or virtual private networks (VPNs) or Internet Protocol security (IPsec). In another embodiment, the entities can use custom and/or dedicated data communications technologies instead of, or in addition to, the ones described above. Depending upon the embodiment, the network 105 can also include links to other networks.

In one embodiment, the network 105 is a partially public or a wholly public network such as the Internet. The network 105 can also be a private network or include one or more distinct or logical private networks (e.g., virtual private networks, Wide Area Networks (“WAN”) and/or Local Area Networks (“LAN”)). Additionally, the communication links to and from the network 105 can be wire line or wireless (i.e., terrestrial- or satellite-based transceivers). In one embodiment, the network 105 is an IP-based wide or metropolitan area network.

In some embodiments, the network 105 helps to form a set of online relationships between users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n, such as provided by one or more social networking systems. In one embodiment, system 100 is such a social networking system including explicitly-defined relationships and relationships implied by social connections with other online users, where the relationships form a social graph. In some examples, the social graph can reflect a mapping of these users and how they are related.

In one embodiment, an authentication module 220 a is included in the user login server 101 and is operable on the user login server 101. In another embodiment, the authentication module 220 b is included in the third party application server 107 and is operable on a third party application server 107. In yet another embodiment, the authentication module 220 c is included in the user application server 130 a/130 b/130 n and is operable on the user application server 130 a/130 b/130 n. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the authentication module 220 can be included and is operable in any combination on the devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n and servers 101, 107, 130 a, 130 b and 130 n. In some embodiments the authentication module 220 a/220 b/220 c includes multiple, distributed modules that cooperate with each other to perform the functions described below. Details describing the functionality and components of the authentication module 220 a of the user login server 101 are explained in further detail below with regard to FIG. 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, the user devices 115 a, 115 b are coupled to the network 105 via signal lines 108 and 112, respectively. The user 125 a is communicatively coupled to the user device 115 a via signal line 116. Similarly, the user 125 b is communicatively coupled to the user device 115 b via signal line 114. The third party application 107 is communicatively coupled to the network 105 via signal line 106. The user login server 101 is communicatively coupled to the network 105 via signal line 104. In one embodiment, the user login server 101 is communicatively coupled to data storage 110 via signal line 102.

In one embodiment, data storage 110 stores data and information of the users 125 a, 125 b, 125 n of the system 100. Such stored information includes user profiles, user login information and other information identifying the users 125 a, 125 b, 125 n of the system 100. Examples of information identifying users includes, but is not limited to, the user's name, contact information, relationship status, likes, interests, links, education and employment, location, etc. In one embodiment, the information stored in data storage 110 also includes user 125 a/125 b/125 n social networking activity information. Social networking activity information includes, but is not limited to, data or information regarding user 125 a/125 b/125 n communications, transactions, sharing, social connections, and feature usage within the system 100. Examples of communications data and information that may qualify as social network activity information include, but are not limited to, the subject, content, dates, senders, or recipients of communications with the account owner. Examples of transactions data and information that may qualify as social network activity information include, but are not limited to, the identity of the buyer or seller, the item(s) purchased or sold, the price(s) or total, the date of the transaction. Examples of sharing data and information regarding an account owner's sharing that may qualify as social network activity information include, but are not limited to, what was shared, when something was shared, and with whom something is shared. Examples of social connections data and information that may qualify as social network activity information include, but are not limited to, the identity of the account owner's friends, closest friends, or frequent contacts. Examples of feature usage data and information that may qualify as social network activity information include, but are not limited to, what games the account owner has played, who the account owner has tagged in photos, the profiles the account owner has viewed, and the account owner's search history.

In one embodiment, which is discussed below, a storage device 214 (see FIG. 2) is included in the user login server 101 and stores the data and information of users 125 a, 125 b, 125 n of the system 100. In one embodiment, the storage device 214 stores the data and information discussed above in relation to the data storage 110, including the account owners' social network activity information.

In one embodiment, the user device 115 a/115 b/115 n is an electronic device having a web browser for interacting with the user login server 101 via the network 105 and is used by user 125 a/125 b/125 n to access information in the system 100. The user device 115 a/115 b/115 n can be, for example, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile email device, a portable game player, a portable music player, a portable music player, or any other electronic device capable of accessing a network.

User Login Server 101

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a user login server 101 according to one embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 2, user login server 101 includes a network adapter 202 coupled to a bus 204. According to one embodiment, also coupled to the bus 204 are at least one processor 206, memory 208, a social network module 209, a graphics adapter 216, an input device 212, a storage device 214, and an authentication module 220 a. In one embodiment, the functionality of the bus 204 is provided by an interconnecting chipset. The user login server 101 also includes a display 218, which is coupled to the graphics adapter 210.

The processor 206 may be any general-purpose processor. The processor 206 comprises an arithmetic logic unit, a microprocessor, a general purpose controller or some other processor array to perform computations, provide electronic display signals to display 218. The processor 206 is coupled to the bus 204 for communication with the other components of the user login server 101. Processor 206 processes data signals and may comprise various computing architectures including a complex instruction set computer (CISC) architecture, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC) architecture, or an architecture implementing a combination of instruction sets. Although only a single processor is shown in FIG. 2, multiple processors may be included. The user login server 101 also includes an operating system executable by the processor such as but not limited to WINDOWS®, MacOS X, Android, or UNIX® based operating systems. The processing capability may be limited to supporting the display of images and the capture and transmission of images. The processing capability might be enough to perform more complex tasks, including various types of feature extraction and sampling. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that other processors, operating systems, sensors, displays and physical configurations are possible.

The memory 208 stores instructions and/or data that may be executed by processor 206. The instructions and/or data comprise code for performing any and/or all of the techniques described herein. The memory 208 may be a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random access memory (SRAM) device, flash memory or some other memory device known in the art. In one embodiment, the memory 208 also includes a non-volatile memory or similar permanent storage device and media such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM device, a DVD-ROM device, a DVD-RAM device, a DVD-RW device, a flash memory device, or some other mass storage device known in the art for storing information on a more permanent basis. The memory 208 is coupled by the bus 204 for communication with the other components of the user login server 101. The memory 208 is coupled to the bus 204 for communication with the other components.

In one embodiment, the user login server 101 contains a social network module 209. Although only one user login server 101 is shown, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that multiple servers may be present. A social network is any type of social structure where the users are connected by a common feature. Examples include, but are not limited to, Orkut, Buzz, blogs, microblogs, and Internet forums. The common feature can include, by way of example, friendship, family, a common interest, work, etc.

The social network module 209 is software and routines executable by the processor 206 to control the interaction between the user login server 101, storage device 214 and the user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n. An embodiment of the social network module 209 allows users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n of user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n to interact and perform social activities, including social communication, between other users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n of user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n within the system 100.

The storage device 214 is any device capable of holding data, like a hard drive, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), DVD, or a solid-state memory device. The storage device 214 is a non-volatile memory device or similar permanent storage device and media. The storage device 214 stores data and instructions for processor 208 and comprises one or more devices including a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM device, a DVD-ROM device, a DVD-RAM device, a DVD-RW device, a flash memory device, or some other mass storage device known in the art. In one embodiment, the storage device 214 is used to store data and information including the social network activity information of users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n of the system 100. In other embodiments, such user data and information is stored in data storage 110. In yet other embodiments, the user data and information is distributed and stored between both the storage device 214 and data storage 110.

The input device 212 may include a mouse, track ball, or other type of pointing device to input data into the user login server 101. The input device 212 may also include a keyboard, such as a QWERTY keyboard. The input device 212 may also include a microphone, a web camera or similar audio or video capture device. The graphics adapter 210 displays images and other information on the display 218. The display 218 is a conventional type such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or any other similarly equipped display device, screen, or monitor. The display 218 represents any device equipped to display electronic images and data as described herein. The network adapter 202 couples the user login server 101 to a local or wide area network.

The authentication module 220 a is software and routines executable by the processor 206 to generate a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt. Specifically, an embodiment of the authentication module 220 a is software and routines executable by the processor 206 to receive a login request, including an account owner's correct username and password as well as additional login information from the user; detect a potentially fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information from the user; analyze the account owner's social network activity information; generate a user authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information; and send the authentication challenge for display. In one embodiment, the authentication module 220 a also determines whether the user successfully completes the authentication challenge. Details describing the functionality and components of the authentication module 220 a are explained in further detail below with regard to FIG. 3.

As is known in the art, a user login server 101 can have different and/or other components than those shown in FIG. 2. In addition, the user login server 101 can lack certain illustrated components. In one embodiment, a user login server 101 lacks an input device 212, graphics adapter 210, and/or display 218. Moreover, the storage device 214 can be local and/or remote from the user login server 101 (such as embodied within a storage area network (SAN)).

As is known in the art, the user login server 101 is adapted to execute computer program modules for providing functionality described herein. As used herein, the term “module” refers to computer program logic utilized to provide the specified functionality. Thus, a module can be implemented in hardware, firmware, and/or software. In one embodiment, modules are stored on the storage device 214, loaded into the memory 208, and executed by the processor 206.

Embodiments of the entities described herein can include other and/or different modules than the ones described here. In addition, the functionality attributed to the modules can be performed by other or different modules in other embodiments. Moreover, this description occasionally omits the term “module” for purposes of clarity and convenience.

Authentication Module 220

Referring now to FIG. 3, the authentication module 220 a is shown in more detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of the user login server 101 that includes the authentication module 220 a. In another embodiment, the third party application server 107 includes the authentication module 220 b. In yet another embodiment, the user application server 130 a/130 b/130 n includes the authentication module 220 c. In one embodiment, the authentication module 220 a is software and routines executable by a processor to generate user authentication challenges based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information in response to detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt. For the purposes of describing the components and functionality of the authentication module 220 a/220 b/220 c, the below description describes the authentication module 220 a. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the same description is also applicable to the functionality and components of the authentication module 220 b/220 c.

In one embodiment, the authentication module 220 a comprises a login receiver engine 302, a fraudulent login detection engine 304, a social network activity information analysis engine 306, a challenge generation engine 308, and an optional challenge assessment engine 310.

The login receiver engine 302 is software and routines executable by a processor for receiving login requests that include a username, password, and other login information from users 125 a, 125 b, 125 n of user devices 115 a, 115 b, 115 n. In one embodiment, the login receiver engine 302 is a set of instructions executable by the processor to provide the functionality described below for receiving login requests that include a username, password, and other login information from users 125 a, 125 b, 125 n of user device 115 a, 115 b, 115 n. In another embodiment, the login receiver engine 302 is stored in the memory 208 of the user login server 101 and is accessible and executable by a processor. In either embodiment, the login receiver engine 302 is adapted for cooperation and communication with a processor and other components of the user login server 101 via bus 204 and network 105.

According to one embodiment, the login receiver engine 302 is communicatively coupled to the storage device 214 via a bus. The login receiver engine 302 of the authentication module 220 a is also communicatively coupled by the bus 204 and the network 105 to the user devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n in order to receive login requests from the devices 115 a, 115 b, and 115 n.

In one embodiment, if the login request does not include a correct username and password, the login attempt is denied. In one embodiment, the authentication module 220 a is used in account recovery for generating an authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity when an account owner has forgotten his, or her, username or password. In one embodiment, if the login request includes a correct username and password, the login request is sent to the fraudulent login detection engine 304.

The fraudulent login detection engine 304 is software and routines executable by the processor for detecting a potentially fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information included in the login request. In one embodiment, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 is a set of instructions executable by the processor to detect a potentially fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information included in the login request. In another embodiment, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 is stored in the memory 208 of the user login server 101 and is accessible and executable by the processor. In either embodiment, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 is adapted for cooperation and communication with the processor.

Examples of such additional login information include, but are not limited to, the IP address of the computer from which the login request is coming, the device identification number of the device being used, and/or the location of the computer from which the login request is coming, including the state and/or country, and browser cookies. In one embodiment, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 detects a potentially fraudulent login by analyzing this additional login information. For example, in one embodiment, if the IP address associated with the login request is an IP address of a “blacklisted” user, or a suspected bot, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 identifies the login as potentially fraudulent. In one embodiment, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 detects a potentially fraudulent login by comparing this additional login information to historical login information of the account owner. For example, in one embodiment, if the login attempt originates from a country, or device, that the user has never attempted to login from, the fraudulent login detection engine 304 identifies the login as potentially fraudulent. In one embodiment, the login is allowed if the login request is not identified, as potentially fraudulent. In one embodiment, if the login attempt is identified, as potentially fraudulent the account owner's social network activity information is analyzed.

The social network activity information analysis engine 306 is software and routines executable by the processor for analyzing the account owner's social network activity information to determine social network activity patterns. In one embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 is a set of instructions executable by the processor to provide the functionality described below for analyzing the account owner's social network activity information to determine social network activity patterns. In another embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 is stored in the memory 208 of the user login server 101 and is accessible and executable by the processor. In either embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 is adapted for cooperation and communication with the processor and other components of the user login server 101 via bus 204 and network 105.

The social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the account owner's social networking activity information and determines patterns in the social network activity. In some embodiments, patterns in the social network activity include information gathered over a long period time. In such embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the account owner's social network activity information over a long period of time, e.g., determining the account owner's most frequent contact over the entire duration of the account owner's account. In some embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the account owner's social network activity information for at least one month. In some embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the account owner's social network activity information over a shorter period of time and determines patterns within that period of time, e.g., the account owner's most frequent contact in the past week. In one embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the recentness of the account owner's social network activity information. Such information analyzed and determined by the social network activity information analysis engine 306 is information that a user would be able to assess after a long-term monitoring of the account owner's social network activity. In some examples, the foregoing data/information is collected upon user consent. In some implementations, a user can be prompted to allow data collection and may opt in/out of participating in such data collection activities.

In some embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 accesses data associated with the account owner stored on the storage device 214 or data store 110 to determine patterns in social activity. In some embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the data and determines social network activity patterns by determining what contacts the account owner most frequently contacts (by sending a message to the contact, or sharing information on the contact's social network page). In other embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the data and determines social network activity patterns by determining what contacts contact the account owner most often. In such embodiments, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 looks at the number of messages received from the account owner's contacts, or the number of times a contact shares content with the account owner.

In one embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 uses aggregate statistical data of users 125 a, 125 b, and 125 n in order to analyze the account owner's social network activity information. In one embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 uses statistics regarding the account owner's data to analyze the account owner's social network activities information. In one embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes the account owner's social network activity information to determine what social network activity information can serve as the basis of a secure authentication challenge.

The challenge generation engine 308 is software and routines executable by the processor for generating authentication challenges based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information. In one embodiment, the challenge generation engine 308 is a set of instructions executable by the processor to provide the functionality described below for generating authentication challenges based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information. In another embodiment, the challenge generation engine 308 is stored in the memory 208 of the user login server 101 and is accessible and executable by the processor. In either embodiment, the challenge generation engine 308 is adapted for cooperation and communication with the processor and other components of the user login server 101 via bus 204 and network 105.

The challenge generation engine 308 receives the results of the social network activity information analysis engine 306, generates an authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information, and sends the authentication challenge for display. In embodiments where the social network activity information analysis engine 306 identifies a plurality of patterns and/or social network activity information as potential bases for a user authentication challenge, the challenge generation engine 308 selects a basis from the plurality of potential bases according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the selection is random. In one embodiment, the selection is based on which social network activity information generates the most secure authentication challenge. In another embodiment, the social network activity information analysis engine 306 selects the basis from the plurality of potential bases.

The challenge assessment engine 310 is software and routines executable by the processor for determining whether a generated authentication challenge has been successfully completed. In one embodiment, the challenge assessment engine 310 is a set of instructions executable by the processor to provide the functionality described below for determining whether a generated authentication challenge has been successfully completed. In another embodiment, the challenge assessment engine 310 is stored in the memory 208 of the user login server 101 and is accessible and executable by the processor. In either embodiment, the challenge assessment engine 310 is adapted for cooperation and communication with the processor and other components of the user login server 101.

According to some embodiments, the challenge assessment engine 310 receives a response from the user 125 a/125 b/125 n via user device 115 a/115 b/115 n after the challenge generation engine 308 generates and sends the authentication challenge for display to the user 125 a/125 b/125 n via the user device 115 a/115 b/115 n. The challenge assessment engine 310 compares the response received from the user 125 a/125 b/125 n with the account owner's social network activity information, and if there is a match, the authentication challenge is successfully completed and the login is allowed. In one embodiment, if the user 125 a/125 b/125 n response does not match the account owner's social network activity information, the authentication challenge was not successfully completed and the user 125 a/125 b/125 n is denied access. In one embodiment, if there is no match, a new authentication challenge is generated and sent. In one embodiment, the cycle of generating authentication challenges and determining the successfulness of completion is repeated until a challenge is successfully completed. In one embodiment, the cycle of generating authentication challenges and determining the successfulness of completion is repeated a limited number of times. In one such embodiment, a warning is sent after the limited number of times is reached. In another such embodiment, the account attempting to be accessed is locked once the limited number is reached. In one embodiment, the limited number is three.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a storage device 214 storing user data 500 including data belonging to User A 510 a. In this example, User A's data 510 a includes data for the User A's profile 520 a, location 520 b, preferences 520 c, as well as other data 520 n associated with User A. In one embodiment, the data associated with User A 520 n includes data regarding User A's communications 530 a, connections 530 c, and other activities 530 d, in addition to pictures 530 b and other data 530 n. In one embodiment, the user associated data 520 n is, or includes, User A's social network activity information. The communication data 530 a contains data concerning the contents 540 a as well as the recipients and senders 540 b of the communications according to one embodiment. The connections data 530 c includes data regarding the user's friends 550 a and social graph 550 b according to one embodiment. The activities data 530 d includes data regarding the user's transactions 560 a, search history 560 b, feature usage 560 c, web cookies 560 d, sharing habits 560 e, and calendar 560 f information according to one embodiment. In this example embodiment, the storage device 214 also stores statistical data in the form of aggregate statistics 570 for the system's users and statistics associated with each individual user 520 c. In one embodiment, the storage device also includes a database of wrong answers (not shown).

Method

Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method 400 for generating an authentication challenges based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information is shown. The method 400 begins when the login receiver engine 302 of the authentication module 220 a receives 402 a login request from a user; the login request including an account owner's correct username and password as well as additional login information from the user. The fraudulent login detection engine 304 of the authentication module 220 a detects 404 a potentially fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information in the login request. As mentioned above, examples of additional login information include, but are not limited to, the IP address of the computer from which the login request is coming, the device identification number of the device being used, and/or the location of the computer from which the login request is coming, including the state and/or country, and browser cookies. The social network activity information analysis engine 306 analyzes 406 the account owner's social network activity information to determine social network activity patterns. As discussed above, various forms of analysis exist, including, but is not limited to, statistical analysis and analysis to determine what social network activity information is the most secure basis for generating an authentication challenge.

The challenge generation engine 308 generates 408 an authentication challenge based at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information and sends 410 the authentication challenge for display.

The illustrated embodiment of the method includes the optional challenge assessment engine 310 of the authentication module 220 a, which receives 412 a response from the user 125 a/125 b/125 n and determines 414 whether the generated challenge was completed successfully. If the challenge was completed successfully (414—Yes), the login is allowed 416. In some embodiments, if the generated challenge was not completed successfully (414—No), another authentication challenge is generated 408. In some embodiments, this cycle of generating 408 an authentication challenge through determination 414 of successful completion is repeated until the challenge is successfully completed (414—Yes). In other embodiments, this cycle of generating 408 and determination 414 of successful completion is repeated for a limited number of times and after the limit is reached, a warning is sent for display (not shown). In other embodiments, this cycle of generating 408 and determination 414 of successful completion is repeated for a limited number of times, and after the limit is reached, the account is locked (not shown). In some embodiments, this cycle of generating 408 and determination 414 of successful completion is repeated three times, then after the third unsuccessful attempt, a warning is sent for display (not shown). In one embodiment, after the third unsuccessful attempt the user's 125 a account is locked (not shown).

Graphical User Interface

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation of an example of a user interface 600 displaying a social network page 602 containing an authentication challenge 604 based on at least in part on the account owner's social network activity information according to one embodiment. The authentication challenge includes an authentication challenge inquiry 606A/606B and an authentication challenge answer input region 608A/608B. In the illustrated embodiment, the authentication challenge 604 utilizes a close-ended challenge in the form of a multiple choice question 606A, wherein question 606A is based on social network activity information regarding the subject lines from messages the account owner received in the last week. The challenge is “close-ended” because there are a finite number of potential answers 608A, in illustrated embodiment there are five potential answers provided to the user. Each of the potential answers 608A is associated with a box 612, which may be checked 610 in order to select that answer according to one embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, the authentication challenge 604 also uses an open-ended fill-in-the-blank question 606B, wherein question 606B is based on social network activity information regarding what user profile the account owner has visited most frequently in the past week. The challenge is “open-ended” because potential answers are not provided for the user to select from and possible answers are nearly limitless for a fill-in-the-blank. The user is prompted to input an answer in the box 616 in one embodiment. Once the user has answered the authentication challenge questions, the user clicks the “Okay” button 618 to complete the authentication challenge according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the completed authentication challenge is assessed, if the user's answers are correct, the challenge is successfully completed and login is allowed.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the embodiments be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims of this application. As will be understood by those familiar with the art, the embodiments may take other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement one embodiment or its features may have different names, divisions and/or formats. Furthermore, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects of the embodiments can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware or any combination of the three. Also, wherever a component, an example of which is a module, of the embodiments is implemented as software, the component can be implemented as a standalone program, as part of a larger program, as a plurality of separate programs, as a statically or dynamically linked library, as a kernel loadable module, as a device driver, and/or in every and any other way known now or in the future to those of ordinary skill in the art of computer programming. Additionally, the embodiments are in no way limited to implementation in any specific programming language, or for any specific operating system or environment. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope, which is set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer-implemented method for generating user authentication challenges, the method comprising: receiving a login request from a user wherein the login request includes an account owner's correct username and password and additional login information from the user; in response to receiving the login request, detecting a potential fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information from the user; analyzing social network activity information of the account owner using aggregate statistical data of a plurality of users to determine a plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information of the account owner to serve as a basis for an authentication challenge; performing analysis to determine which social network activity pattern or social network activity information of the account owner from the plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information serve as a secure basis for generating the authentication challenge; generating the authentication challenge based at least in part on one or more of the determined social network activity information and the determined social network activity pattern of the account owner that are determined as the secure basis for the authentication challenge; and sending the authentication challenge for display, wherein the authentication challenge includes an inquiry regarding the social network activity information of the account owner.
 2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a response from the user; and assessing completion of the authentication challenge based on the response from the user.
 3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the authentication challenge is based at least in part on social network activity information selected at random.
 4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the authentication challenge includes an inquiry regarding the social network activity information of the account owner.
 5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the additional login information includes the user's IP address, geographic location, or device identification number.
 6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, further comprising: determining that the user failed to complete the first authentication challenge; generating a new authentication challenge; sending the new authentication challenge to the user; receiving a new response from the user; and assessing the completion of the new authentication challenge based on the new response.
 7. A system for generating user authentication challenges, the system comprising: one or more processors; a login receiver engine stored on a memory and executable by the one or more processors for receiving a login request, wherein the login request includes an account owner's correct username and password and additional login information from a user; a fraudulent login detection engine stored on a memory and executable by the one or more processors for detecting a potentially fraudulent login based on the additional login information from the user; a social network activity information analysis engine stored on a memory and executable by the one or more processors for analyzing the social network activity information of the account owner using aggregate statistical data of a plurality of users to determine a plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information of the account owner to serve as a basis for an authentication challenge, and performing analysis to determine which social network activity pattern or social network activity information of the account owner from the plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information serve as a secure basis for generating the authentication challenge; a challenge generation engine stored on a memory and executable by the one or more processors for generating the authentication challenge based at least in part on one or more of the determined social network activity information and the determined social network activity pattern that are determined as the secure basis for the authentication challenge, and for sending the authentication challenge for display.
 8. The system of claim 7, further comprising: a challenge assessment engine for receiving a response from the user and assessing completion of the authentication challenge based on the response from the user.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the authentication challenge generated by the challenge generation engine is based on social network activity information selected at random.
 10. The system of claim 7, wherein the authentication challenge generated by the challenge generation engine includes an inquiry regarding the social network activity information of the account owner.
 11. The system of claim 7, wherein the additional login information used by the fraudulent login detection engine includes the user's IP address, geographic location, or device identification number.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein the challenge generation engine generates a new authentication challenge responsive to the challenge assessment engine determining that the user failed to complete the first authentication challenge, and sends the new authentication challenge to the user, and wherein the challenge assessment engine receives a user's response to the new authentication challenge and assesses the completion of the new authentication challenge based on the user's response to the new authentication challenge.
 13. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer usable storage medium including a computer readable program, the computer readable program when executed by a processor causes the processor to: receive a login request from a user wherein the login request includes an account owner's correct username and password and additional login information from the user; in response to receiving the login request, detect a potential fraudulent login attempt based on the additional login information from the user; analyze social network activity information of the account owner using aggregate statistical data of a plurality of users to determine a plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information of the account owner to serve as a basis for an authentication challenge; perform analysis to determine which social network activity pattern or social network activity information of the account owner from the plurality of social network activity patterns or social network activity information serve as a secure basis for generating the authentication challenge; generate the authentication challenge based at least in part on one or more of the determined social network activity information and the determined social network activity pattern of the account owner that are determined as the secure basis for the authentication challenge; and send the authentication challenge for display, wherein the authentication challenge includes an inquiry regarding the social network activity information of the account owner.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the computer readable program further causes the processor to: receive a response from the user; and assess completion of the authentication challenge based on the response from the user.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the authentication challenge is based at least in part on social network activity information selected at random.
 16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the authentication challenge includes an inquiry regarding the social network activity information of the account owner.
 17. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the additional login information includes the user's IP address, geographic location, or device identification number.
 18. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer readable program further causes the processor to: determine that the user failed to complete the first authentication challenge; generate a new authentication challenge; send the new authentication challenge to the user; receive a new response from the user; and assess the completion of the new authentication challenge based on the new response. 